To: Governor Chris Sununu
Don't let David Bickford weaken the "Right to Know" law
David Bickford is the sole sponsor of House Bill 285, which will create a giant loophole in the "Right to Know" law by allowing government officials to hold secret meetings without public knowledge or accountability simply by "claiming" that they are discussing "legal advice" - even if only one member of the board is making that claim and even if they have nothing in writing to prove it.
If Bickford's Loophole (HR 285) becomes law it will make it very easy to hold "non-public" meetings for any excuse, and will severely weaken the public's right to have right to have public business done out in the open where it belongs.
We know David Bickford. We know the damage he has done as a New Durham selectman. We know that his violations of the Right to Know law to date demonstrate his lack of respect for obeying the law, and we know that he created this loophole to allow him to do even more of our business behind closed doors.
We ask Governor Hassan to PLEASE veto HR 285 and keep the Right to Know law strong, and keep politicians accountable to the people they are supposed to serve.
If Bickford's Loophole (HR 285) becomes law it will make it very easy to hold "non-public" meetings for any excuse, and will severely weaken the public's right to have right to have public business done out in the open where it belongs.
We know David Bickford. We know the damage he has done as a New Durham selectman. We know that his violations of the Right to Know law to date demonstrate his lack of respect for obeying the law, and we know that he created this loophole to allow him to do even more of our business behind closed doors.
We ask Governor Hassan to PLEASE veto HR 285 and keep the Right to Know law strong, and keep politicians accountable to the people they are supposed to serve.
Why is this important?
HR 285 would add this language to existing law and allow secret meetings for; "Consideration of legal advice provided by legal counsel, either in writing or orally, to one or more members of the public body, even where legal counsel is not present."
This amendment is poorly written, it will greatly weaken the law, and will lead to abuse of the public's rights and many more violations of the Right to Know law across the state.
This amendment is poorly written, it will greatly weaken the law, and will lead to abuse of the public's rights and many more violations of the Right to Know law across the state.